Behind the decisions: What the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Board of Estimate and Taxation do for Minneapolis

In the November election you will have the opportunity to select your representatives for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation.  What responsibilities do these board members have? How might decisions made by these boards affect you?  How can you make an informed decision on who to vote for so your choice of candidate aligns with your values and concerns?

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB): Our Award-winning Park System

The Minneapolis Park Board, officially known as the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), is an independent governing body responsible for managing the city's parks, recreational facilities, and green spaces. It operates separately from the City of Minneapolis, with its own jurisdiction and funding.

MPRB received the 2024 National Medal Award for excellence in parks and recreation. This award acknowledges that our park system is one of the best in the country. This fall residents have the opportunity to cast their ballots to choose representatives to all six park districts and three at-large-seats for MPRB. Your vote impacts who will have responsibility for governing, maintaining, and the continuing development of the Minneapolis park system.

MPRB was established in 1883, to oversee the development and maintenance of an urban park system spanning 7,059 acres of parkland and water. Did you know that in our park system there are 185 parks, 102 miles of biking and walking trails, 22 lakes, a dozen formal gardens and 49 recreation centers? Tucked in Theordore Worth Park is the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, established in 1907 with MPRB support.  This is the oldest native plant garden with over 500 species of native plants. There are more than 7 golf courses, 20 miles of cross country trails, seven lakes for ice fishing and skating, and many trails for walking, hiking and snowshoeing.

Maintaining the lakes and parks is one aspect of the board’s responsibilities but the MPRB also sponsors programs for residents of all ages.  For example, youth programs include: skateboard instruction camps, tee ball leagues, open soccer in the parks, and after school programs for children of all ages. Senior offerings abound as well.  Those 55+ can join organized groups for outdoor walking, pickleball, meeting with others for coffee and conversation, making ceramics, and playing card games like 500.

Your Votes Matters

If you enjoy the city’s parks, lakes and recreation programs and think it is important to maintain and grow this resource, then who is elected to the Park and Recreation Board matters. The 2025 budget for this board is about $155 million and the park board representatives decide on how to allocate this funding. Your vote for one of the six park district commissioners and three at-large-commissioners gives you a say in how this city resource is maintained and grows. Each elected official will serve a 4-year term.

If you want a say in the future of  parks and lakes – VOTE!

• Not sure which park district you live in?  The Minneapolis school board and park district map will help you identify your district.
• What is currently happening in different park districts?  MPRB website lists current projects related to its 20-year neighborhood park plan.
• How do the candidates running for membership on this board envision the future of this city resource?  The League of Women Voters Minneapolis sponsors forums where you can hear directly from the candidates about their visions and qualifications for serving on the park board.  

Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation: Responsibilities of the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET)

The Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) may not be on your radar on a daily basis but surprisingly, the decisions this board makes affects you greatly. 

• This board decides the maximum cap on the amount of property tax dollars our city government is allowed to collect. This is called a levy. Before setting the levy the board holds hearings each year that are open to the public to ensure the voices of Minneapolis residents are heard before this important decision is made.  For 2025 the City’s overall property tax levy is approximately $511,000,000. 
• The BET sets the maximum tax levies for several funds which come out of the overall tax levy.  For example, the park board requests its funding from the BET. Representatives from the MPRB present their budget requests to the BET which includes their strategic plans for using the funds.

The BET considers this input along with other economic factors before setting the cap on the amount of money allocated to the park board. 

A detailed list of the agencies the BET sets tax levies for are available at the Minneapolis government website.

• The BET has the authority on how the city borrows money for long-term investments. It approves the issuance of  bonds to support capital projects requested by the City Council or the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.  The BET has the responsibility to coordinate financial policy between the mayor, city council, and other independent boards to ensure fiscal responsibility across city departments. BET monitors the city’s debt and credit ratings to maintain a strong financial position in Minneapolis.

Who is on the BET?

In November you will vote directly for two city-wide members of the BET, each for a 4-year term.  There are four additional members on the BET who include the mayor, the park board commissioner, city council president, and the city council member who chairs the committee in charge of the budget.

Notice the connections among the BET and other offices up for election this fall: mayor, two city council members, and park and recreation commissioner.  Your votes in this election impact virtually every part of the city’s government. 

Where can you get more information on the responsibilities of the BET and candidates running for the two city-wide seats so you can be an informed voter? As you gather information on the candidates and their responsibilities when serving on the BET, consider what qualifications you deem important to work effectively on the board in the best interests of Minneapolis residents.

• A list of current members of the BET can be found on its website.  
• The Minneapolis government website includes BET mission statement.
• A look at a recent agenda provides a picture of how BET board meetings are run.
• Check out the candidates’ websites to learn about their backgrounds and reasons for running for the BET.
• Attend League of Women Voters Minneapolis forums or view the recorded videos to hear directly from the candidates.  Check the website for dates and times for these forums.